Mixing It Up: Ten Advantages of Blended and Online Learning for TVET Institutions

In recent years, the demand for TVET (technical and vocational education and training) has increased significantly, as learners look for practical skills to prepare themselves for today’s workforce. Blended learning and online-only learning have become increasingly popular in TVET institutions as they offer unique advantages over traditional classroom-based instruction. And this trend doesn’t look to be slowing down. In fact, digitizing TVET institutions is one of the goals of the UNESCO 2022-2029 strategy for transforming TVET.

In this article, we will look at some of these advantages and discuss how blended and online-only learning can enhance the educational experience for TVET students and teachers alike.

Ten advantages of blended and online-only learning

Although traditional, in-class education has been the norm for decades, online learning has emerged as a viable and preferred alternative. Here are some of the reasons why.

Bite-sized learning: Online courses often consist of content that is broken down into smaller units. This makes it easier for students to digest the information and retain it. The bite-sized format allows students to focus on one piece of information at a time, increasing their understanding of the material.

Mobile learning: Online learning nearly always allows students to access the course materials on their mobile devices, making it easier for them to learn on-the-go. This enables students to learn in their own time, whether between classes or during their commute to school.

Self-paced learning: Online learning also offers the flexibility of self-paced learning. This means that students can go at their own pace through the courses and take more time to understand difficult concepts. Self-paced learning also means that students can review the material as many times as they need to before moving on to the next module.

A cost-effective alternative: Moving away from traditional, in-class education can save students and TVET institutions money. Purchasing online courses is usually much cheaper than buying textbooks and other classroom materials. Blended learning can also be more cost-effective than traditional in-class learning, as it requires less classroom time and resources.

Improved access to education: Both blended and online learning have the potential to provide better access to quality education for traditionally marginalized groups. This is particularly true for online-only learning, which can be accessed by students in remote areas or those who have limited access to educational resources. A Funzi pilot project with Boland TVET College in South Africa showed that blended learning worked just as well for disabled students as it did for non-disabled students.

Personal growth and development: Students develop independent learning skills and become more responsible for their own learning when taking courses online. This type of learning encourages students to take ownership of their education, which can lead to increased motivation and engagement.

Tech-savvy learning: Students and teachers become more tech-savvy the more they move toward web-based learning. This will be increasingly important in the future. The use of technology in education can help TVET students develop skills that will be valuable in the workplace, such as computer skills and the ability to use digital resources.

Course structure for teachers: Blended and online-only learning provide a structured course format for teachers, allowing them to easily organize the course materials and present them in a structured manner. This makes it easier for teachers to manage their time and resources and can help them deliver content more effectively.

Paperless learning: With traditional, in-class education, teachers often need to make photocopies of their material. Web-based learning eliminates this need as all the course content and materials are sitting on devices. This means less work for teachers and less money the TVET institutions need to spend on copies. It also helps reduce the negative environmental impact of traditional in-class learning. 

Progress tracking: Thanks to online reporting tools, teachers can easily track the progress of their students. This means they can check if the students are keeping up with the course and identify any difficulties they may be having. This allows teachers to provide targeted support and feedback to their students, which can help improve learning outcomes.

Thankfully, there are companies and organizations that are stepping up so TVET institutions can provide their students with a high-quality, digitally-focused education. Funzi is one such company.

Funzi YES: The Mobile Learning Solution for Today's TVET Students

Funzi’s goal is to give everyone in the world access to high-quality education. It does so by transforming existing high-quality content into inspiring courses that are optimized for mobile phones. Funzi uses a unique pedagogy that is scientifically proven to bring positive and impactful results. Its courses consume very little data, are simple to navigate and focus on key 21st-century skills. They are perfect for online-only learning, particularly benefiting learners in rising markets.

However, Funzi also recognizes the benefits of blended learning for learners at the secondary and tertiary levels. In response, it has developed its FUNZI YES blended learning solution. Funzi YES is especially well suited to the needs of TVET students, teachers, and administrators. The solution provides learners with employability, entrepreneurial, and life skills which are otherwise absent from their studies. With Funzi YES, TVET institutions can provide a cost-effective and accessible learning experience that promotes personal growth and development. It also provides a structured course format for teachers, enables progress tracking, and allows for self-paced learning.

By embracing blended and online-only learning, TVET institutions can prepare their students for the workforce of the future, and Funzi is there to support them every step of the way.